Being the nerd that I am, I’ve been spending a lot of time looking at other models that people have been making – both Technic models and any assortment of random stuff that people make.

And OMFG is some of the stuff people make AMAZING!!!

Seriously, some of the things people create with nothing but a bunch of Lego bricks is unreal. Mind blowingly impressive.

The sad thing that I’ve realized is that by being “out of the loop” for so many years, I’m not only horribly out of practice, but I don’t have the majority of the cool new pieces that have really allowed people to take Lego model making to a whole new level.

I think I’m just going to have to start branching out begin getting additional sets beyond Technic to supplement my 25+ year old basic Lego bricks so I have better model making options. I’ll just have to add it to one of my wishlists!

Sariel’s Gear Tutorial

This information has a lot of fundamental overlap with pulleys, drive trains in cars and other gear-related mechanics.

If you’re a Technic builder and haven’t really sat down and thought about how you use gears and when one is more appropriate than another, then take a few minutes and read through this tutorial. Then read it again tomorrow!

Definitely a great find.

• Power Functions XL-Motor
• Power Functions M-Motor
• Power Functions IR Receiver
• Power Functions IR Remote Control
• Power Functions Extension Wire 20”

Instead, I received the following:

• 0x Power Functions XL-Motor
• 3x Power Functions M-Motor
• 1x Power Functions IR Receiver
• 2x Power Functions IR Remote Control
• 2x Power Functions Extension Wire 20”

Whoops!

So I’m missing 2x XL motors and an IR Receiver, but have an extra M motor.

I called up Lego and talked to a very nice customer service rep that got everything square and is shipping out the missing pieces straight away. She asked if I needed expedited shipping, but I don’t so I told her it wasn’t necessary. She also told me to keep the extra M motor — which they would probably only barely break even on if they paid for return shipping and packaging (I only paid $6.37 for each), so that makes sense on a few levels.

Despite the mix-up, it was a very easy call to place and get things sorted. I was only on hold for maybe 60 seconds, which obviously made the whole ordeal that much less of an issue. I was also pleased to see that I wasn’t given any sort of harassment about trying to “prove” that the order was packed incorrectly. I was simply taken at my word and the issue was resolved. We’re not talking about a ton of money, but I’m sure there’s some vendors that would give you a hard time.

All-in-all, I’m rather pleased with the response of Lego Customer Service.

Lego 8049 Log Loader

After many years of requests from consumers and fans, the Lego Technic Log Loader 8049 will include pneumatic components in a mainline Lego set-

• 2 pneumatic cylinders
• 2 pneumatic switches
• 1 pneumatic pump
• a bunch of tubing

There’s also the possibility of some T-junctions because there’s mention of the option to add an auxiliary air tank to the set:

Add compressor function by purchasing 8293 Power Functions Motor Set

At only $60 (and available for pre-order on Amazon.com now), what’s most exciting is that with this being the highest-priced set of the first quarter of 2010, there’s still room for a really big set to incorporate even more pneumatics later in the year! Maybe we’ll see something epic like the amazing Lego 8455 Pneumatic Backhoe.

Only time will tell… but this is a great restart of one of the greatest sub-sets that Lego has ever put out. Add these to the Lego Power Functions and and Lego Mindstorms sets, and you have a really large set of amazing tools for the creative designer!

Not that long ago, I shot a time-lapse of a Lego 8294 Excavator build. It was a fun learning experience (the shoot), but more than a little work.

I currently have a new Lego 8265 Front Loader sealed in its box sitting just behind me that I need to assemble. I haven’t been able to pull the hours and work through it. I want to do another time-lapse because the first one seemed to be well received. However, the time logistics have me wondering if it’s worth putting off the build (which I want to get to because I’ve had it for a couple of weeks now!) to shoot the time-lapse or not.

I guess I can always go back and shoot a build later — I just hate having it sit there ignored, but I don’t have a ton of free time right now.

I figure I gotta make some opportunities (and need to have fun with it at the same time) – so here’s what I expect to be the beginning of a long line of Lego minifig portraits!

(uncropped, minimal post-processing)

The inspiration comes from this awesome tank bot created by Brian Davis:

I’ve been able to build the basic shooting mechanism and have prototyped a track as well. I need some additional parts before I can build a part and start building a frame to haul around the shooter, motors, ammo hopper and the NXT brick (the computer that runs everything). Once I get that built out, I’ll start to actually write code for it to add some automation.

I don’t want it to be a pure ripoff, but I’m really impressed with the efficiency in the design and I figure it’s worth emulating.

As I start making some progress and actually have something to show off, I’ll be taking some pictures and hopefully video – because people can only read so much text before getting bored out of their minds.

While the video isn’t the greatest thing ever (I haven’t really done this before today!), I wanted to share it. I figure this is the only way I’ll learn.

Enjoy!